Open mouth, insert foot, suffer bad PR

FREDERICK, Md., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich recently told a domestic violence conference: "If I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would."

A former prosecutor, Ehrlich made the remark during a Friday address at Hood College in Frederick, Md.

By Tuesday the Washington Post said her office was forced to issue a statement: "As a working mother raising a 4-year-old son, the first lady has concerns about the negative influences the entertainment industry can have on young children and teenagers. During a public appearance, she inadvertently used a figure of speech to express those concerns."

Her husband, Republican Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr., who campaigned against gun control, had no comment.

Although Spears also had no comment, her record company, Jive Records, issued a statement saying, "Since this unfortunate comment was made at a domestic violence prevention conference, it seems that Mrs. Ehrlich has shot her own self in the foot by promoting violence as well